CONCORD — The season opener for Garnet Valley and Haverford High Thursday was predictably sloppy at times.
It was freezing.
One team, however, came out smelling like a rose.
Fords All-Delco pitcher Bridget Newman had trouble gripping her pitches and threw more to contact. Good thing Newman had junior Sammi Donato behind her at third base, picking everything that came her way.
Offensively, the Fords were able to pounce on the Jaguars early on the way to an impressive victory. Haverford, the defending co-champion of the Central League, defeated Garnet Valley in six innings, 10-0.
Donato, who collected two hits, two walks, two runs scored, two diving stops, two awesome throws to first, a couple of “great jobs’ by her coaches and one RBI, didn’t worry about fielding so much as the other part of the equation.
“I just have to work on my throw,” Donato said.
The 6-1 Newman, probably the most feared player in Delaware County, gave Donato a friendly shove.
“No you don’t,” Newman said to her.
Including Donato, the Fords have a strong defense behind their dominant pitcher. Newman will improve on her season debut, which is a scary thought for the rest of the Central League.
“I felt pretty good, actually, considering I haven’t thrown the ball outside in a while,” said Newman, who is bound for Kutztown in the fall. “I felt pretty confident. My hands get dry a lot. I’ll pick up dirt when I’m out there and wear gloves in between innings. I just see what I can throw, what comes off my hand right (when it’s cold). I do what I can.”
Eight of the nine Haverford starters got on base at least once. Newman slammed an RBI double to the left-center field gap in the first inning after Donato worked a one-out walk. Haverford churned out 11 hits and scored four runs in each of the first two frames. Junior Tyler Beccari, the Fords’ cleanup hitter and Newman’s batterymate, and designated player Janelle Corliss both reached three times and contributed RBI singles. Kelsey Moran was the best hitter of the day, going 3-for-4 with three ribbies.
To read the remainder of the article click here. http://www.gametimepa.com/delaware-archives-softball/ci_25436351/softball-donato-helps-haverford-cruise-past-garnet-valley